What was I thinking trying to park on Geary? I hoped that since this is in the quieter northern area of SF that things might be a bit easier. Nope. Geary is still a major thoroughfare. I ended up squeezing into a spot between two driveways but my bumper was hanging half a foot over the edge so I literally ran the half block to Bevmo so I could look through their selection and get back to the car before I either got ticketed or towed. Upon reaching the store I realized that they actually have an underground parking lot here so donít be an asshole and block someoneís driveway on account of Bevmo.

The beer is in the back and there is a fair amount of it; three aisles worth. They have a whole aisle dedicated to imports which includes the lame stuff like Smithwickís and Becks but also the good stuff like Rochefort, Dupont, Chimay, and Orval. They have some stuff piled up in the walk ways like Lagunitas and Angry Orchard. They also have some of the bigger name California stuff like Bruery, Sierra Nevada, and Ballast Point along with some of the growing names like Heretic and Triple Voodoo. I spotted a couple of the boxed Firestone releases like the new anniversary and what was probably Velvet Merkin. Not a bad selection at all but just like at any Bevmo donít expect to find rare stuff or Cantillon here. Prices are standard at all Bevmo locations.

Decent beer selection, lotsa micros and imports. Some rare stuff, nothing really wow though. However, BEST pricing Iíve seen in the city. $4.50 for Double Bastard. Itís $8 back in NY. I even bought a Pilsner Urquell glass. =P

From notes 2006. Everything set aside, if I can get a good selection of beer, I can overlook a lot of things. Yes. BevMo is a chain and basically a corporate machine. But has it given me many opportunities to try and experience new things? Yes. The selection here is very wide, though it is set up like a chain store - a lot of stuff to cater to as many people as possible. The employees here are just putting in the hours to get paid and will answer a question if you ask, but you wonít get the passion or love of the brew from them as you would in an independent joint. If you want selection, come here. If you want personality, go elsewhere.